Sawyer brings Art for God to Nevada

Artist Stephen Sawyer works on a painting, using a photograph of one of the subjects as a resource. Sawyer's work is often dedicated to spiritual themes.

By Lynn A. Wade

Nevada Daily Mail

It's not so unusual to hear of folks using their talents to praise God. Some people praise God through music. Others do so through speaking, writing or art. Stephen Sawyer's ministry uses three out of four -- he creates art with spiritual themes, then shares the work with others through showings, lectures and written stories that go along with the art.

Rather than illustrating stories with art, he does the opposite, using words to further illustrate his paintings, and on April 2 and 3, he'll be bringing some of that art to Nevada for special sessions with students and as part of a public event at the First Baptist Church of Nevada.

Each year, the church hosts a "Festival of Praise," a community event that began years ago after Don and Audrey Kennedy of Kanas City lost their son Roger to cancer. Their daughter, Jennifer Dean, is known through her books and speaking engagements about prayer, and the Roger Kennedy Award is presented to a Nevada High School male althlete demonstrating positive leadership, each year; and in years past the festival has brought in such events as an outdoor drama of Revelation and the comedy of Grady Nutt.

"More inclusive than our church, the Festival is designed to be a gift to the community, " Cox said.

This year, the event will feature Sawyer's art in two public events; and while he's in town, he'll visit with Nevada High School art classes.

Sawyer said that in visiting churches he often speaks to other groups at the request of the church. "I do many things to help out in any way I can," but admits he enjoys helping the students see and explore the value of their talent as artists.

Art for God, as Sawyer calls his artistic endeavors, conducts many projects aimed at fostering creativity in others, such as the recently completed National Christian Art competition. Reaching out to students with encouragement is another way of serving the public and accomplishing that goal, he said.

"I've been to many different schools. I want to try to help encourage students who want to tithe their talent, but I also try to encourage and help people to understand the significance of their talents," Sawyer said,

In the biblical parable of the talents, three servants are given talents (measures of gold, at the time) to administer for their master. Two of them invest and double the amount they were give. The third buries his and although no loss is incurred, no increase occurs either and the master is unhappy with him.

"It's like the parable of the talents. Art is a precious gift, and it's important that you use it," Sawyer said.

Further, Sawyer tries to show students how to deal with criticisms and to keep trying.

"I still get the criticism. I've been doing this for years. If you're not getting that, it means you're probably not doing much," Sawyer said.

In fact, he's been preparing the way for art for God since 1975 when he made the decision to dedicate his art in this manner -- even before that, in an informal way, since spirituality was an influence to his art in childhood -- but Art for God didn't come to fruition until 1995 -- 20 years later.

It didn't fall into place at the moment he made the decision -- the timing God had in mind was different from the timetable Sawyer had in mind.

"A lot of things had to come together in order for me to be able to do this," Sawyer said.

According to information gathered through Sawyer's Web site, www.art4god.com, and personal interviews, he sees his art as a way of serving others.

"The sole mission of Art for God is to reflect the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth in the 21 Ccentury. We neither criticize nor promote any denomination or religion," explains Sawyer, through his Web site.

Some of the works featured are obviously illustrations of biblical events or stories. Others -- like an image of Jesus in the boxing ring -- are more allegorical. Still others appear to depict modern images of people in illustration of spiritual ideals, such as the innocence of children, God's power to heal, the sanctity and beauty of marriage and more.

Public sessions will be conducted on April 2 and 3. On Saturday, April 2, 2-4 p.m., the church will host "An Afternoon with Internationally-Known Artist Stephen Sawyer."

Attendees will have the opportunity to talk with Sawyer.

"We're very excited to have him here. This is a wonderful way of reaching out, and of communicating the messages of God," said the Rev. Bill Cox, pastor of the church.

On Sunday morning, April 3, Sawyer will share his story during regular worship services.